Meredith ZBA gives crematorium the go-ahead to move

MEREDITH — A local funeral home cleared the first hurdle toward plans to move its crematorium into a new building.

Following a hearing Monday, the Meredith Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to grant a variance to the Mayhew Funeral Home operated by Peter and Kelly Mayhew.

Plans call for new construction off Commerce Court in an area zoned for business and industry on property owned by the Charles Thorndike Trust.

The sole resident to speak during the hearing was Caroline Pillsbury, a longstanding critic of the Mayhew’s existing crematorium on Daniel Webster Highway, which is directly across the street from her home.

“If this goes through does this mean the existing crematorium will shut down?” she asked.

Attorney Chris Boldt who represented the Mayhews during the brief hearing said it would stop operating at that location.

The property where the new building is being proposed is off Route 104 in an area that is home to warehouses and a chiropractor’s office. Boldt said the proposed use is in keeping with the neighborhood, and that the building would be centered in an upland area of the property that would be left with as much of its trees and vegetation as possible.

In response to questions from the board, Boldt said, if the variance was granted, the project would advance to the planning board for site plan review. The proposal must go back to the ZBA to garner the needed approvals.

Conditions attached to the granting of the variance include that all federal, state and local permits must be obtained before an occupancy permit will be issued by the town.